It doesn’t take much to turn us into one of Pavlov’s dogs.
Blame it on the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but just like the ringing bell that caused those canines to drool in anticipation of food, hearing certain buzzwords (such as escape, unwind and leisure) practically makes our hearts stop, so overdue are we for a getaway.
If we had tails, they’d be wagging at the first glimpse of the Sea Pines Resort on the southern tip of Hilton Head Island, South
Carolina. The 5,000-acre oceanfront destination — located on a peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Calibogue Sound, and covering one-third of the island — has greeted harried visitors with a warm embrace for more than 50 years. Like other world-class resorts across the country, Sea Pines is so comprehensive that guests have neither a reason nor a desire to leave: With four distinct neighborhoods, a AAA Four-Diamond hotel, luxurious villas and homes to rent, a 605-acre forest preserve and more than 40 boutiques, Sea Pines is an alluring city unto itself.
The baby grand piano in the lobby of the resort’s Inn at Harbour Town hints at the elegance of the hotel’s 60 boutique-style rooms. Imported Frette bed linens, goose-down pillows and 24-hour butler service are the norm here, as are tranquil views overlooking both the posh Harbour Town Golf Links and Sea Pine Racquet Club. And for those who have life’s hassles still weighing heavily on their minds, the inn’s aromatherapy bath products and in-room spa services from the Sanctuary Spa quickly help those worries melt away.